Material cutting apparatus



Sept. 20, 1949. G. w. SODERMAN MATERIAL CUTTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets$heet1 Filed March 26, 1948 INVENTOR G. MASODERMAN A rr oR/vsr G. W. SODERMANMATERIAL CUTTING APPARATUS Sept. 20, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 26, 1948 [NI/ENTOR GWSODERMAN By W rII. 1|I.

W95 AT TORNEV 5 Shee ts-Sheet 3 Filed March 26, 1948 nws/vroe G. W5 ODERMA/V A TfORA Ev' Sept. 20, 1949. G. w. SODERMAN 2,

MATERIAL CUTTING APPARATUS Filed March 26, 1948 5 sheet-s sneet 5 A TTORNEV INVENTOR I GWSODERMAN Patented Sept. 20, 1949 MATERIAL CUTTINGAPPARATUS George W. Soderman, West Englewood, N. JL,

assignor to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application March 2c, 1948, Serial No. 17,262 112 Claims. 1

This invention relates to material cutting apparatus, and has for itsobject an apparatus which is simple in structure, readily actuable andhighly efiicient in cutting brittle materials such as crystals.

Synthetic crystals have been developed in the communication arts as asubstitute for quartz crystals and although the synthetic crystals aresimilar in many ways to the quartz crystals, their difierences instructure have necessitated the development of new machines or apparatusto process them in producing crystal plates or wafers of given contoursfrom the mother stone. One of the steps of the process in themanufacture of synthetic crystals includes cutting the crystal plates orwafers into desired sizes.

In accordance with the aforementioned object, the invention comprises anapparatus for cutting brittle material such as crystals, the apparatusincluding a pair of blades having opposed and aligned edges supported byrelatively movable elements. Means is provided to cause relativemovement of the elements, first laterally to cause the blades to engagethe material in a given plane, then longitudinally to cause the bladesto scribe the opposing surfaces of the material and again laterally tocause the blades to cut the material in the said plane.

, The cutting edges of the blades are serrated to facilitate scribingthe material. Furthermore, the blades have floating connections withtheir respective supporting elements which constitute pin-like membersabout which the blades rock whereby the cutting edges may find theplanes of their respective surfaces of the material. The supportingelements are in the form of jaws mounted on a commonpivot for movementabout the pivot to position the blades with her cutting edges inengagement with the material. Elongate openings in the jaws or suporting elements allow longitudinal movement of the jaws in oppositedirections to bring about scribing of the material by the blades, afterwhich the jaws may again be moved laterally to cause the blades to cutthe material. The material is initially supported on a table. locatedthereon by relatively movable locating members for centrally locatingmaterials of various sizes on the table. The action of the blades issuch that when moved into engagement with the material they will movethe material free of the table for the scribing and cutting operations.The three main operating phases of the elements and blades are performedby actuation of a single cam through a resilient driving means backed 2up by a positive driving means if necessary for any of the operatingphases.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig, l is an elevational view of one sideof the apparatus with the blades in the holding position in engagementwith the material, portions of the apparatus in this figure being brokenaway;

Fig. 2 is an elevational View of the other side of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus, portions thereof beingremoved;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus in the cuttingposition;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View of the apparatus taken substantiallyalong the line 5--5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus includes a base member Illhaving spaced uprights H which support a table [2. In the presentembodiment of the invention, the table [2 is formed of two separateparts lying in a common plane and spaced from each other at their inneredges to provide an opening i 4 for a lower cutting blade 15. Thecutting blade l5 and its upper cutting blade 16 are identical instructure having serrated cuttingedges I] positioned opposite each otherand in alignment whereby they may engage opposing sides of a material isin a com mon plane at right angles to the plane of the table l2. Theblades 15 and I6 are movably disposed in notches l9 and 29 of theirsupporting elements 2! and 22. The notches'lil and 2!! are of sufiicientwidth toallow movement of the blades therein, the blades, however, beingheld in alignment with each other and permitted to move onlyaboutthecenterlines of their pivots or rocking pins Hand 25 which are mounted inapertures of the jaws 2i and 22. Limit pins or screws 2 and 28 carriedby the jaws 2| and 22 extend through larger apertures 29 and 3!] in theblades I5 and it to hold the blades in their notches, yet allow'movementof the blades relative to their jaws Z! and 22.

The jaw 2! has a central portion 32 with. an elongate opening 33 thereinto receive a shaft or pivot rod 34. The shaft 34 is supported by spaceduprights 35 mounted on the base l0. Back of the central-portion 32 ofthe supporting element or jaw 2! (to the left of 1) is a reduced portion38' upon the'i'nner surface of which is mounted a cam block 39 having ashoulder 40 and a raised portion H. A vertical member 42, fixed to theend of the reduced portion 38 of the element 2|, carries a pin block 43to be engaged by a pin 44 during relative movement of the elements 2|.and. 22. about the=shaeftui4s An. arm- 45 is also mounted on-tlieportiom 38"of the element 2| to receive the adjacent end of a tensionspring 46.

The supporting element 22 has a portion which supports a cam block 5|omits und'ersuF- face in general alignment withathea can block 38. andsubstantially identical hustnu-cture therewith except that it ismounted; in Besseme -with.

high portion 52 nearest the shaft 34. A shoulder 53 of the cam block 5|faces theleft. end. ofithe.

apparatus while the shoulder ""of'the cam'bloclt' 35 faces the right endthereof. A ventlnalr'amm 55 is mounted on the outer end of the portion50 of. the element, 22.. and. is. apentured. at. 56 to; re: L

ceive the pin 44 for lonaitudinalamnvement there.- in. A bracket; 51-mounted. on. thearm. 55. carries an adjustable screw. 58: whichiaconnectedr to, the upper end of. the: spring 435.. Akiiustmentof. thescrew under the control of a nutilvaries. the force. in the spring 4dto, movethe. ends, 38 and 5.0, of. their. elements. KI. and. Z2..tewardi each other normally urgingthe-blades Iliandl'fi' away from eachother. An. inuerted..h -shapeoi.bracket. 60 mounted on. the arm: 55.hear a. threaded; aperture 6| to receive an adjusting screw. filwhichhasa pocket. 63. thereinl ta receisleoneendi of a compression spring64', theothenend'. of the spring being, supported in a. necesseiheadihof" thepi'n 44'. The function of the springjli'stol normally urge theelements Hand; 22; intotheir starting positions... the element It atitsextreme right, and the element 22' at its extreme left, as shown inBig. 1,, the limits oithe elements b'ei'ngumfer the control of theelongate apertures associated with the shaft 34.. The elongate aperture31 has beendefinedasabeing, positioned in. a.-centra1.por.- tion 32 ofthe element; Asi'milar elongate aperture Eli is. formedlinacent'ralportion 69 of the element 22 through. which the shaft '34 extends Acam'I.I' oflthecontourt shownln Figs. 1 and 4. hasdiametrically, opposedllow portions. 12 and 1.3 merging. gradually. into intermediate portions[4 andfli whereshoulders .Tli'and, TTseparate, the intermediate.portions T4'and 'IIJfrom. their respective high. portions T8 and; T9.respectively. The cam I I. is interposed between the cam blocks 39 andSJ where it isfixedly' mounted on. a cam shaft SIv which. extendslaterally suit.- able bearings .inithe verticalmembers 36 and'hascollars 8'2. 81 fixedlgzmountedon; the outer ends-thereof.(Eigs. Sjand'5).. Atorsibnal; spring 85 disposed concentric. with. the, shaft" 81: isinterposed; between. the collar 82' and the adjacent vertical member361. The inner en'd..of the spring extends into an aperture: 8.6" in themember .while the outer end; thereof extends into an aperture Bl ofjthecollartt. In this mamrer, the spring 415' is connected through thecollar 82.'to the-shaft.8l,, its purpose being; to theshaft 81- in itsnormal position and. to returrrthe shaft to its normal position.afterthea'pparatushas beenoperated to cause cutting" of material.

A rotatable member on hand lever 90; having a. ball-like handlgrlp SF onits." outer end is mounted on. the camshaft 8 t. tor-rotation relativethereto. A torsional springzfl; much; stronger than the spring 85', isdisposert'concentric with the cam shaft 8I intermediate the collar 83'and the lever 90 and has its en'ds'connectedrespec- 4 a I tivelythereto. One end of the spring is disposed in an aperture 93 of thecollar 83 while the other end of the spring is disposed in an aperture94 of the lever 90. The function of the spring 92 is to operate the camII to perform its three functions, as willhereinaften be .deseribed..If, howeven. conditions should; arise wherein the force of the spring 92during actuation of the lever 90: should not be sufficient to rotate thecam shaft 81 to bring about the various functions of the cam, a-positive'means is provided to connect the lever 91]. directly with.the camshaft. This means includes an intermediate collar 96 fixedly mountedronthe cam shaft 8| and having a notch 9'! therein to receive a laterallyprojecting finger 98..of the lever 90. When the apparatus is in normalppsitibn', the finger 98 will be positioned adiacenta shoulder I00 ofthe notch 91 and would not engage the opposite shoulder IIlI unless thematerial being out requires more. than the force supplied by thespring92. In this instance, the finger 98' will engage theshoulder IllIcompleting a positive connection. between. the lever 911' and the shaft81' through the collar $61 A stop-pin. I173 carried. by the. adiaoent.verticali'member W is positioned. within. another notch. I04 of thecollar 96;.ashoulder ILGELofT the notch I'M. engaging'a flat portion.I06 of the pin IIl3' when the camshaft KI is in its normal position. I

A locating mechanism is provided; to. centrally locatematerials ofvarious sizes or widths orr'the table IQZ. This mechanism. includes.locating fin gere. lit. and. I H extending downwardly from their.respectiveracks HI and H3 to positibnsadjacent the table I2"'asillustrated in: Fig". 5; The racks I I2 and H3 are supported forlongitudinal movement. relative to each other in grooves of a supportingframe H5 extending over the vertical members 35 andthe table. I2. Theracks. are held against displacement in. their grooves. by a cover .63..A gear II'T interposed between the racks I.I.2.and. [I3 andinterengaging theteeth of the racks. is. mounted. on. a shaft. I'I'tlwhich. extends vertically through a hearingrl'ike aperture in the coverI16. w-here ahand wheel I19. i'smountedon theupper endithereof'. Throughthismechanism, it is apparent that rotation of the shaft. I-I8 withthegear. H I inone direction, willLcause movement ot the racks II} and.'3' to move: the locatingv fingers, HE and. I'ILtoward; each other whilerotation ofthe shaft with. the gear in the opposite directionwill causethe racks to move the locating fingers away from each other. Thesemovements of the, locating fingers are identical at all times to.centrally locate anaiti'cle or material to be. out relativeto thebladesI5. and IS. The supporting. frames I'I.5.' extends. laterally. to a.position above. the cam shaft 8| where it" is pi'votall'y mounted at,I23 to aportion IZf fixedly; mounted on therupper. endsof theventicallmemhers. 36.. A notch I23 is formediin onesida of the.supporting frame M5: to receive a. cam. lever I24. pivotally mounted at1:25 and having alow portion I125. to rest upon the: adjacent vertical.member Sines shown'irr Fig: 2 to: position theloeating mechanism'ad'jacent the table I:2', a. high. portion I. of the cam leverfunctioning wheni moved: into engagement with the upper surface ofxtheadjacent vertical member 3G to movethe supporting frame with the-fingersH0 and IlI I away'fsronsthe table I2. An' adjustable stop I30, in theform of a screw disposed in a threaded aperture: in the supporting framel l lfi engages: the other-vertical member 36 (Figs. 1' and 5h,to-contml' the posh tions' of the locating fingers III] and III abovethe table I2.

Operation When the apparatus is in its normal open posi-. tion, the camII is located with respect to the cam blocks 39 and 5! whereby the highportions 4| and 52 of the cam blocks will engage the low portions I2 andI3 of the cam. The hand-lever SI] is held in its normal position tolocate the cam II in the position described by the force of the spring85. The force of the spring 64 is distributed between the elements 2|and. 22 to normally hold them in their extreme positions limited byftheelongate apertures 33 and 68 in the central portions 32 and 68 thereof.

. With the apparatus in its normal position for cutting materials orarticles of a given width, one of the articles is placed on the table I2after which the locating mechanism is actuated throughrotai tionof thehand wheel II9, rotating the gear I I? to simultaneously move the racksH2 and H3 until the locating fingers I II] and II I are moved intoposition to engage the article loosely. The locating fingersare inposition to centrally locate articles of this particular width relativeto the blades I5 and I6 whereby the blades will cut the articles alongtheir centerlines. The positions of the locating fingers relative tothetable I2 may be varied by adjusting the screw I30.

The operator then places the material or article 1 I8 on the table I2between the ends of the locating fingers Hi1 and III, after which.theihand lever 90 is rotated from thebroken line position (Fig. 2)toward the solid line position, shown in 11:}

this figure. During the first portion of the movement of the hand lever,the spring 92 will be rotated with the collar 83, rotating, the camshaft 8| from its normal position withv the low portions I2 and I3 ofthe cam engaging the high portions 4| and 52 of the cam blocks until thecam has reached the position shown in Fig. 1 where the intermediate camportions M and I5 engage the cam blocks. During this first phase of theoperating cycle of thejapparatus, the elements 2 Land 22.are rockedabout the shaft 34 bringing the blades I5 and I6 into grippingengagement with the article I8 and moving the article I8 free of thetable I2 as illustrated in Fig. 5. Further movement of the hand lever 98in the same direction will transfer a ,force through the spring 92, thecollar 83 and the cam shaft 8| to. move the shoulders I6 and 11 of thecam against the shoulders 4D and 53 of the cam blocks 39 and 5| and thuscause longitudinal movement of the elements .1.

the same direction increases the force of the spring 92 to rotate thecam shaft 8| with the cam II into the position shown in Fig. 4-resultingin further lateral movement of the blades I5 and I5 through lateral orrocking movement of the elements 2| and 22 to cut the material I8 in twoalong the plane where it was previously scribed.

During the operating cycle of the apparatus, the blades I5 and I5,although held with their cutting edges in alignment with each other,-are free to .rock about the pins 25 and 26 to engage the article I8. forthe full length or width thereof. This condition is carried outthroughout the operation of the apparatus during which time the bladesI5 and IS maintain their positions relative to each other although theelements 2| and 22 supporting the blades are rocked about the shaft 34.

When the material I8 has been cut, the operator may allowthe hand lever90 to return to its normal position through the force of the spring 85,the spring maintaining close engagement of the cam blocks 38 and 5| withthe cam II at all times, and the spring 5 5 returning the elements 2|and 22 to their normal positions as the cam l I -returns to its normalosition. This operation may be repeated "to successively cut brittlematerial or articles placed singly on the table I2. The actuation of thehand lever 98 in one direction,-causes three operating phases includingfirst the lateral movement of the blades and elements to bring thebladesinto engagement with the material, then movement of the elements andblades longitudinally to scribe the material in a given plane onopposing faces of the material, and finally additional lateral movementof the blades and aelements to cut through the material.

Theapparatus is constructed whereby the force originating in the handlever is transmitted to the cam -II through a resilient means, namely,the spring as. Therefore, the resilient or cushionlike force of thespring-82 operates the blades through their three movements to cut thema terial.. This is important in that the material being out is of ahighly brittle nature and it has been determined that less damage may becaused to the material;. particularly during the first two steps of? thecutting process, namely, positioning of the blades in engagement withmaterial and moving theblades longitudinally relative theretotoscribethe material. In some instances, however, particularlylwiththicker materials, ithas been determined'thata positive'or rigid,connection between the actuating lever 99 and the cam II is essentialto bring about the final step of the cutting operation. Thisisaccomplished through the aid of the collar which is fixed to the camshafts! and notched to receive the-projecting finger 98 0f the handlever 99 against the shoulder, itl .to positively move or rotate the caminto itsfinalposition shown in Fig. 4,-should the force createdzin thespring 92 not be sufficient to accomplish this result,

. :If, at. any time, irregular articles are to 'be cut by.the'apparatuathe locating mechanism may be moved. out of locatingposition by rotating the cam lever I 2 3 clockwise (Fig. 2) until itshigh portion I2? rests upon the upper surface of its respective verticalmember 36 to rotate the supporting frame II-E about its pivot are,positioning the locating; finger Ill! and III out of the way aboutthe-table Ill.

It isto be understood that the above described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallWithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is: x

'1. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a pair of jaws, meansto support the jaws for limited longitudinal movement relative to eachother, a pair of blades pivotally mounted on the jaws and having opposedand aligned serratedcutting edges, means for supporting material-tubeout between the blades, actuable mechanism for closing the jaws andmoving them longitudinally in opposite directions to move the cuttingedges obliquely with respect to the surfaces of the material, anoperating handle and a resilient connection between the handle and thejaw actuating mechanism.

2. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a' pair of bladeshaving opposed and aligned edges, relatively movable elements to supportthe blades, and means to cause relative movements of the elements firstlaterally to cause the blades to engage the material in a given plane,then longitudinally to cause the blades to scribe the opposing surfacesof the material and again laterally to cause the blades to out thematerial in the said plane.

3. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a pair of blades havingopposed and aligned edges, relatively movable elements to support theblades, floating connections between the blades and their supportingelements whereby the blades may move relative to the elements for theiredges to engage opposing surfaces of the material, and means to causerelative movements of the elements first laterally to cause the bladesto engage the material in a given plane, then longitudinally to causethe blades to scribe the opposing surfaces of the material and againlaterally to cause the blades to cut the material in the said plane.

4. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a pair of blades havingopposed and aligned edges, relatively movable elements to support theblades, a table to support the material between the blades, locatingmembers movable relative to each other and the blades to locatematerials of various sizes singly on the table relative to the blades,and means to cause relative movements of the elements first laterally tocause the blades to engage the material in a given plane, thenlongitudinally to cause the blades to scribe the opposing surfaces ofthe material and again laterally to cause the blades to cut the materialin the said plane.

5. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a pair of blades havingopposed and aligned edges, relatively movable elements to support theblades, a table, to support the material between the blades, slotted toreceive one of the blades, and means to cause relative movements of theelements first laterally to cause the blades to engage the material in agiven plane and lift it from the table, then longitudinally to cause theblades to scribe the opposing surfaces of the material and againlaterally to cause the blades to cut the material in the said plane.

' 6. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a pair of bladeshaving opposed and aligned edges, relatively movable elements to supportthe blades, a table to support the material betwen the blades, locatingmembers movable relative to each other and the blades to locatematerials of various sizes singly on the table relative to the blades,means to cause relative movements of the elements first laterally tocause the blades to engage the material in a given plane, thenlongitudinally to cause the blades to scribe the opposing surfaces ofthe material and again laterally to cause the blades to cut the materialin the said plane, and means adjustable to vary the positions of thelocating members relative to the table.

7. In an apparatus for cutting brittle material, a pair of blades havingopposed and aligned edges, relatively movable elements to support theblades, a table to support the material between ments positioned withtheir blades spaced fromv the blades, locating members movable relativeto each other and the blades to locate materials of various sizes singlyon the table relative to the blades, means to cause relative movementsof the elements first laterally to cause the blades to engage thematerial in a given plane, then longitudinally to cause the blades toscribe the opposing surfaces of the material and again laterally tocause the blades to cut the material in the said plane, a pivotalsupport for the 10- cating members, and means actuable to move thesupport about its pivot to move the locating members out of locatingpositions adjacent the table.

8. An apparatus for cutting brittle material comprising opposingelements with members intermediate their ends having substantiallyaligned elongate apertures therein, a fixed position shaft extendingthrough the said apertures to thereby support the elements for pivotaland longitudinal movements relative to each other, cutting bladesmounted on adjacent ends of the elements with the cutting edges of theblades extending toward and in alignment with each other, means normallyactive to hold the elements positioned with their blades spaced fromeach other to receive material therebetween, a table to support thematerial between the blades, means normally active to hold the elementsin their extreme positions in given directions, and means actuable torock the elements about the shaft to move the blades into engagementwith the material, then move the elements longitudinally relative toeach other to cause the blades to scribe the material and finally causefurther pivotal movement of the elements to cause the blades to cut thematerial.

9. An apparatus for cutting brittle material comprising opposingelements with members intermediate their ends having substantiallyaligned elongate apertures therein, a fixed position shaft extendingthrough the said apertures to thereby support the elements for pivotaland longitudinal movements relative to each other,

' cutting blades mounted on adjacent ends of the elements with thecutting edges of the blades extending toward and in alignment with eachother, means normally active to hold the elements positioned with theirblades spaced from each other to receive material therebetween, a tableto support the material between the blades, means normall active to holdthe elements in their extreme positions in given directions, and a cammovable from a starting position through an operating cycle to firstrock the elements about the shaft to move the blades into engagementwith the material, then move the elements longitudinally with theirblades relative to each other to cause the blades to scribe opposingsurfaces of the material in a given plane and finally rock the elementsfurther about the shaft to cause the blades to cut the material in thesaid plane.

10. An apparatus for cutting brittle material comprising opposingelements with members intermediate their ends having substantiallyaligned elongate apertures therein, a fixed position shaft extendingthrough the said apertures to thereby support the elements for pivotaland longitudinal movements relative to each other, cutting bladesmounted on adjacent ends of the elements with the cutting edges of theblades extending toward and in alignment with each other, means normallyactive to hold the eleeach other to receive material therebetween, atable to support the material between the blades, means normally activeto hold the elements in their extreme positions in given directions, acam movable from a starting position through an operating cycle to firstrock the elements about the shaft to move the blades into engagementwith the material, then move the elements longitudinally with theirblades relative to each other to cause the blades to scribe opposingsurfaces of the material in a given plane and finally rock the elementsfurther about the shaft to cause the blades to cut the material in thesaid plane, and resilient means to move the cam through the operatingcycle.

11. An apparatus for cutting brittle material comprising opposingelements with members intermediate their ends having substantiallyaligned elongate apertures therein, a fixed position shaft extendingthrough the said apertures to thereby support the elements for pivotaland longitudinal movements relative to each other, cutting bladesmounted on adjacent ends of the elements with the cutting edges of theblades extending toward and in alignment with each other, means normallyactive to hold the elements positioned with their blades spaced fromeach other to receive material therebetween, a table to support thematerial between the blades, means normally active to hold the elementsin their extreme positions in given directions, a cam movable from astarting position through an operating cycle to first rock the elementsabout the shaft to move the blades into engagement with the material,then move the elements longitudinally with their blades relative to eachother to cause the blades to scribe opposing surfaces of the material ina given plane and finally rock the elements further about the shaft tocause the blades to cut the material in the said plane, and resilientmeans to return the cam to its normal position.

12. An apparatus for cutting brittle material comprising opposingelements with members in- 10 termediate their ends having substantiallyaligned elongate apertures therein, a fixed position shaft extendingthrough the said apertures to thereby support the elements for pivotaland longitudinal movements relative to each other, cutting bladesmounted on adjacent ends of the elements with the cutting edges of theblades extending toward and in alignment with each other, means normallyactive to hold the elements positioned with their blades spaced fromeach other to receive material therebetween, a table to support thematerial between th blades, means normally active to hold the elementsin their extreme positions in given directions, a cam movable from astarting position through an operating cycle to first rock the elementsabout the shaft to move the blades into engagement with the material,then move the elements longitudinally with their blades relative to eachother to cause the blades to scribe opposing surfaces of the material ina given plane and finally rock the elements further about the shaft tocause the blades to cut the material in the said plane, a rotatablemember, resilient means interconnecting the rotatable member and the camwhereby rotation of the member may cause movement of the cam through anoperating cycle, and rigid means to interconnect the rotatable memberand the cam, should the force of the resilient means be insufficient forone of the phases of the operating cycle.

GEORGE W. SODERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,275,459 Miller Aug. 13, 19181,873,721 Postley Aug. 23, 1932 2,053,043 Patterson Sept. 1, 19362,289,985 Nastri July 14, 1942

